This Python for beginners training course leads the students from the basics of writing and running Python scripts to more advanced features such as file operations, regular expressions, working with binary data, and using the extensive functionality of Python modules. Extra emphasis is placed on features unique to Python, such as tuples, array slices, and output formatting.

This course is suitable for those who have no knowledge of Python or programming.

Overview

What is Python?, Interpreted languages, Advantages and disadvantages, Downloading and installing, Which version of Python, Where to find documentation

The python environment

Structure of a Python script, Using the interpreter interactively, Running standalone scripts under Unix and Windows

Getting Started

Using variables, String types: normal, raw and Unicode, String operators and expressions, Math operators and expressions, Writing to the screen, Command line parameters, Reading from the keyboard

Flow Control

About flow control, Indenting is significant, The if and elif statements, while loops, Using lists, Using the for statement, The range() function, Array types, list operations, list methods, Strings are special kinds of lists, tuples, sets, Dictionaries

Working with Files

Text file I/O overview, Opening a text file, Reading text files, Raw (binary) data, Using the pickle module, Writing to a text file

Dictionaries and Sets

Dictionary overview, Creating dictionaries, Dictionary functions, Fetching keys or values, Testing for existence of elements, Deleting elements

Functions

Syntax of function definition, Formal parameters, Global versus local variables, Passing parameters and returning values

Sorting

The sorted() function, Alternate keys, Multiple keys, Lambda functions

Errors and Exception Handling

Dealing with syntax errors, Exceptions, Handling exceptions with try/except, Cleaning up with finally

Modules and Packages

What is a module?, The import statement, Function aliases, Packages

Regular Expressions

RE Objects, Pattern matching, Parsing data, Subexpressions, Complex substitutions, RE tips and tricks

Highlights of the Standard Library

Working with the operating system, Grabbing web pages, Sending email, Using glob for filename wildcards, math and random, Accessing dates and times with datetime, Working with compressed files

An Introduction to Python Classes

About o-o programming, Defining classes, Constructors, Instance methods, Instance data, Class methods and data, Destructors